Back-band buckle



Nov. 30', 1937; c. sMALLwooD BACK BAND BUCKLE Filed June z, 1937 0 13mm Clie/flea. JmZZzz/aad meg/V7 'MZ JF ,.3.v

Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to back-band buckles of the type shown, for example, in Patent 770,397

issued to me on September 20, 1904.

It has been found in practice that buckles con- 5. structed as disclosed in the patent mentioned, are objectionable because of the excessive wear on the band resulting from the angular edges presented' thereto which tend to cut into and sever the band so as to render it useless after a comparatively short period of use. The buckle has also been objectionable because of its weakness at the point where the chain-hook is 1ocated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a buckle which eliminates angular or sharp wearing portions contacted by the band and, instead, only subjects the band to pressure from a smooth rounded surface where it extends from the clamp to the end of the buckle.

A further object is to provide the buckle with a bearing rib rounded as stated and which also acts as a reenforcement to resist buckling or bending of the device when subjected to excessive strain.

A further object isr to so position the chainhook as to render it more durable and less likely to break off than where constructed and arranged as heretofore.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing- Figure 1 is a plan view of a buckle embodying the present improvements.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 1.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference I designates a base plate one end of which is gradually tapered along curved lines to the base of a hook 2 which overlies the plate, the amount of material located at each side of the hook being such as to resist any tendency of the hook to bend relative to the base or to break off when subjected to excessive strain.

Transverse slots 3 and Il are formed in the base for receiving a band B. 'Ihe slot 4 nearest hook 2 is formed by removing metal bodily from.

the base. Slot `3, which is adjacent to and parallel with the opposite'edge of the base, is produced by slitting the base to form a lip 5A which is folded back onto the base so as to present a rounded surface 6 constituting that wall of slot 3 nearest the adjacent edge of the plate or base. This wall 6 thus constitutes a bearing for the band B which, because of its smooth rounded formation, will not bite into and wear or abrade the band. I'his will be apparent by referring to Figure 2. The opposite wall of slot 3 is also rounded, as indicated at l 'so that excessive wear will not occur at that point.

Adjacent-to the sides of the base I Aof the buckle at "points between' the ends of the slots ing to the band B engaging the buckle, but also serves to stiifen the buckle so as to resist bending of the base when the buckle is subjected to excessive strain.

Journalled in the apertures 9 are studs I3 extending from the ends of a flange I 4 provided at one end of a clamping plate I5 from which extends a tongue I6. This `iiange is so proportioned that, when a band B is inserted between it and the base I, plate I5 can be rotated on the axis of the studs I3 so as to force the free longitudinal edge of ilange I4 into contact with the exposed surface of the band B, thereby clamping the band against base I and also clamping it over the rounded ridge and against the shoulder of the rib II. These positions of the parts have been illustrated in Figure 3 and it will be noted that when they are so located, the tongue I6, which has an offset end I'I, bears against the plate or base I so'as to limit the movement of the plate in one direction.

Flange I4 can kbe formed with teeth or serrations I8 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 if so desired and, if vthese serrations arel employed, corresponding ribs and grooves can be pressed into base I as indicated at I 9 for the purpose of receiving those portions of the band thrust against the base by the teeth or serrations I8. It is to be understood, however, that under certain conditions it is not necessary to use Vteeth or serrations I and the corresponding grooves I9. Instead the flange I4 can be formed with "a straight gripping edge and that portion of the base cooperating therewith can be made flat.

right angles to the position shown in the drawing so as to swing its flange I4 toward hook 2 and away from shoulder I and base I. The band B is then inserted forwardly through slot 3, over the rib I I, between plate I and ange I4, and then back through slot 4. Thereafter plate I is swung about its aXis so as to move flange I4 toward shoulder III. This action will result in clamping the band between flange I4 and the base I and also binding it againstvshoulder I0 and ridge I2 of the rib I I. As the contacted walls of slot 3 are rounded, it will be apparent that the pulling action exerted by the band B will not produce excessive wear on the band from these walls of the slot 3 and as the bearing ridge I2 of the rib Il is also rounded, there will be noundesirable wear on the band at that point. VConsequently a( band used with a buckle such as herein described will last much longer than where buckles such as shown in my patent referred to are employed.

- It will be noted .by referring to Figure 3 that the inturned portions I1 of the tongue I6 issupported close to the end ofthe hook 2 when the plate I5 is in clamping position. Thus thisinturned portion I'I constitutes a guard for preventing an engaged object, such as a chain, from slipping off of the hook 2. Y

The rounded wall of slot 3`is effected by bending the metal in the formation of the slot and, if desired, this bend can be to any angle less than the 180 angle shownfin Figure 3.

- What is claimed 'isz" L I 1. A buckle including albase, a clamping plate mounted for swinging movement thereon and having a clamping ilange cooperating with the base, there being band receiving slots in the base, and a stiening rib between the slots and cooperating with the flange of the clamping plate to frictionally hold a band inserted through the slots and across the rib, said rib having a substantially perpendicularV abutment shoulder cooperating with the ange and merging into a rounded bearing ridge. v

2. A buckle including a base having parallel band receiving slots, there being a lip folded back onto the base, said lip being located along one side of one of the-slots and forming'a rounded wall forY said slot, a stiieningribjupstanding from the base between and parallel with the slots and having a substantially perpendicular abutment shoulder merging into a rounded ridge for engagement with the band, a clamping plate ful- -crumed on the base and having a flange for cooperation with the shoulder to bind a band on the ba'se and against v`the shoulder, and means on this clamping plateandrcooperating with the base for limiting the movement of the clamping plate. 3'. A buckle including a .base havingV parallel slots, ears Vextending from the base between the ends of the slots, onev of said slots having a' lip constituting a, rounded wall of the slot and folded back on the base, said slots constituting means for receiving a band overlyingthat portion= of the base between the ears'and between ther slots, a stifening rib struck from the base between the ears and parallel with the slots, said rib having a substantially perpendicular abutment shoulder merging into a roundedridge constituting a bears ing for theband, and a clamping 'plate fulcrumed in andextending between Vthe ears, said clamping plate having a ange cooperating with the base to bind upon the adjacent portion of the bandand grip saidY band against the shoulder, said plate having a tongue inturned against the base.

CHARLES SMALLWOOD. 

